21st-century living

By most measures, the UK is a wealthy society, possessing resources and facilities of which previous generations might only have dreamt. However, most of these measures are material and physical, with gross domestic product dominating other perspectives. If mental, emotional, relational and social dimensions are examined, this nation's ‘wealth’ is not so impressive. One recent national study found that nearly half of the population reported at least one adverse childhood experience and over 8% reported four or more (Bellis et al, 2014). Vulnerable families continue to face acute ongoing economic pressures.

Health professionals speak of social ‘epidemics’ in society. One of these is stress, which affects one in five of the working population and is the single largest cause of sickness absence, accounting for 37% of all work-related illnesses and 45% of all working days lost (Buckley, 2016). Only 17% of employees are engaged with their work, with 63% not engaged and 20% disengaged (Kular et al, 2008). One in six people experience a mental health problem each year (McManus et al, 2014). Depression is now the second most burdensome disorder in the world (Ferrari et al, 2013). Ironically, National Health Service (NHS) workers, charged with responsibility for the care of people with illness, experience some of the highest sickness absence rates in the country, with an annual cost of ￡2.4 billion (Horan, 2016).

Lifestyle choices have a profound effect on our health, as discussed in Section Two. Alcohol misuse disorders, drug dependency and lack of exercise are widespread concerns. The top five causes of premature death in this country are cancer, heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease and liver disease (Murray et al, 2013). All of these are strongly affected by lifestyle. These conditions, as well as being causes of pain and suffering in themselves, are also symptoms of a deeper malaise. Unhealthy habits like excessive alcohol intake and overeating point to psychological, emotional and existential issues of discontent and dissatisfaction. It is these underlying problems that should concern us, as well as the physical maladies.

All of this comes at a time when state care provision is under great strain. Cuts in services are exerting a major impact on individuals and communities. However, there is an underlying, longer-term societal phenomenon, which transcends shorter-term political changes.